A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars fans of all ages united in a day of celebration and revelry.
Though the precise origin of May the 4th Be With You is unclear, the day has been celebrated for years by fans and businesses that can’t pass up the appeal of a crafty pun. Plant City’s local LEGO store is getting in on the festivities this year. Brick City Bricks will be offering giveaways, discounts and more in honor of the force-filled day.
“I love Star Wars,” Gregory Williams, owner of Brick City Bricks, said. “This isn’t just a business decision. I’ve always been a Star Wars fan. Anytime a Star Wars movie comes out I see it opening night.”
LEGO has partnered with fans for the celebration for years. Unique sets and minifigures often are released
for the holiday as adults and children alike flock to the stores to get their hands on the latest merchandise. Thanks to Williams, fans will no longer have to drive to Orlando or Tampa to find a phenomenal selection.
The first 50 people through the door will receive giveaways and all Star Wars merchandise, both new and retired sets, will be on sale. Star Wars movies will be playing all day long in the store and Williams said he will be offering other incentives like free Star Wars Polybags for customers who spend a certain amount.
Those who are in the area at 1 p.m. are invited to take part in the official ribbon-cutting for the store. Williams said several Chamber of Commerce members have mentioned dressing up as their favorite characters like R2-D2. There may even be a costume contest if time permits and he encourages shoppers to embody Han and Leia and come check out his unique inventory.
Brick City Bricks offers shoppers a unique selection of products. Many of the sets are retired, meaning they are no longer mass-produced and thus incredibly difficult to find. He is bringing in a wide selection of Star Wars products for the day and even has brand new Solo merchandise from the upcoming film.
All Star Wars products will be 10% off with certain sets going up to 20% off. One of his most impressive finds is the retired Imperial Shuttle set and the Ewok Village, which features loads of minifigs. The shuttle alone has 2,503 pieces and though neither are normally on sale Williams is making an exception in honor of the day.
Starting a collection of LEGOs may seem overwhelming, but Williams said the trick is to start with a character or a topic that you enjoy. He said you “can’t do them all, so pick a theme and stick with it.”
For first-timers, he recommends the battle packs. Each Star Wars battle pack has four minifigs and a build. Some feature all villains, some all heroes and some are a mix. It is a great way to break into the LEGO world and quickly build up a diverse arsenal of toys.
Through it all, Williams said he hopes he is able to offer the Star Wars community a place to pay tribute to the franchise that brings hope to so many lives. Dedicated fans can rest assured their passion and love for Lucas’s universe is reciprocated in Williams.
He still waits with his son in line for hours on opening nights and gets excited when new or even slightly updated merchandise, like the new Solo Millennium Falcon, comes out. He also understands the role these films played in shaping many viewers into the people they are today. It was an essential part of his son’s childhood and he said he mourned heavily when the world was suddenly without its space princess.
“The day Carrie Fisher died, it was hard,” Williams said. “I know that may sound odd because she was an actress but we loved her. I don’t care what else she was in, that’s who we will forever know her as. She’s our Princess Leia. When we watched ‘The Last Jedi’ that was such an emotional moment, seeing her on screen for the last time.”
Williams said his ultimate goal is to make Brick City Bricks a destination for people of all walks of life in Plant City. This summer they will kick off their Summer Camps, which will feature a mix of educational activities and games. Kids will enjoy a lunch from The Corner Store that will feature a LEGO-themed snack and watch a movie or play on the PlayStation 3.
The camps begin May 28 and can only hold 15 students per day. There will be three staff members, all CPR-certified, on hand for the camps, which run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are offering daily, weekly or even monthly options for the community.
Several churches, schools and organizations have begun doing field trips to the store, birthday parties are being held routinely and adult-themed nights like MAKE Plant City have filled the store to capacity. He is also starting a Breakfast and Build event. On Mothers Day attendees can come and build a LEGO flower to give as a gift for their mother.
“We’re just so grateful for the community,” Williams said. “They’ve really welcomed us and we want to be able to give back and interact with them as much as possible. We know how much people love Star Wars so we’re happy to share in that love with May the 4th Be With You.”
Don’t be a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder.” Grab your Jedi robe or perfectly cylindrical hair buns and find some rare LEGO sets while celebrating with your fellow rebels.